Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1908 — JOHN GROOM IS ANOTHER OLD SETTLER. [ARTICLE]

JOHN GROOM IS ANOTHER OLD SETTLER.

John Groom is also one of the old settlers in this vicinity, having come to this country 43 years ago arid settled on his farm across the river in Barkley township. Mr. Groom was born in England 84 years ago, within a few miles of the scene of the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, and has seen the large stone, weighing tons, placed over the spot where _her head lies buried, the body being buried some eight miles from this place. When he landed in New York state, he was 33 years of age, was married and had three chidren. He didn't stay there long, however, going to Canada and spending some months in that country, then coming to the States' he stopped in Summit county, 0., a short time, when he came here as before related. At the time he was in Canada, in the ’so’s, neither the States or Canada would exchange money, and when Uucle John had made the purchase of some necessary household goods and drew a roll of States money to pay for them, the man told him he could keep the money and he would keep the goods, but an American captain, when the matter was explained to him, said that he was going directly to the States and could use the money. The exchange was made, and Uncle John was happy. Money was very scarce at this time in Canada and Uncle John says that for a period of six months he did not see a dollar. Only I. O. U’s. and “red dog” money were in use, such a state of affairs as we will have in this country as soon as the Vreeland-Aldrich Asset Currency law gets into full swing. Mr. Groom is in reasonably good health for one of his years, and still follows his profession, that of veterinary.